The Pakistani Spectator

Dorothi Kuila, 24 yrs old student of English literature, currently pursuing Mphil   at Utkal University , inhabitant of Bhubaneshwar (capital of Orissa, India), writes under the pen name of dreamer/ nainika  at Sulekha,com and in  her blog ‘Roses and Thorns‘

1.Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

Hiiii!! I am a 24 year old student of English literature, currently pursuing my M.phil at Utkal University. By nature I am an introspective introvert and cooking, reading and writing are my hobbies. Having caught the germs of writing I started blogging under the pen name of dreamer/ Nainika. It has been more than one year and the experience has been great. I have made some great blogger friends and learnt much from them.

My blog “Roses and Thorns” is, as the title suggests my opportunity to showcase the roses and thorns that life showers….it is an expression of my opinion, views and how I perceive the world from my window. Mostly I post poems under the label ‘Ink affair: Poetry’, but one will also find short stories under the label ‘Ink affair: Fiction”, some inspirational prose pieces in the category of ‘Food for thought’ and ‘Miscellaneous’ consists of my views on variety of topics and at times information on online literary contest.

2. Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

They say “Practice makes a man perfect” and it’s true, whatever may be the field. Writing is no exception, the more you write the more your skills are enriched and you learn more about the tools of your craft. Even it makes idea generation easier and more skillful. Previous to blogging, I used to compose poem only when I was inspired…. but now I know how to create my inspiration and write….writing regularly helps!!

It’s important since it is an opportunity to explore something new about myself….to know about my strengths and weakness….to know me more. It makes me happy to share my words and every post makes me believe that …I can write better! Blogging has made me more confident about my writing

3. I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

I started blogging when on reading one of my poems on a public forum; someone suggested that blogging would give me necessary exposure and experience. Blogging was very new to me then and quite exciting as I was my own editor and publisher. Its amazing how with just one click you could reach out to readers across the world.

This July 22 my blog will be two years old. It has been a journey full of various experiences….to see the numbers of visitors and followers rise and find more words of appreciation in the comment box is somewhat like watching your child learn to walk. The most memorable experience was my first blog award, awarded by Brosreview….Its great to be appreciated for your work. And there was one reader Lira covert who once told me I should think about publishing my poem. To be able to express oneself unrestrained in itself is a great feeling and to be appreciated for it….nothing can be greater.

4. What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
I try to go through the blog of my followers and those who drop a comment at my blog and am in active touch with of my blog friends through my blog roll. Also through various directories like Indibloggers, Blogcatlog etc and social networking sites like Orkut I stay in touch with my fellow bloggers.

5. What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
Technology and Politics….well the success of President Obama in the recent U.S. election tells tales about it .Politics is all about creating and well marketing opinions and ideology….technology makes it easier to reach to the masses, and thereby making the process of leaving an impact on the collective consciousness even easier. In an era of computers and internet you have real liberty to voice your opinion and there by create some change. Images and articles on blogs and websites certainly help create opinions…India recently saw the success of register for voting campaign run by a website Jaagore.com. Even the media has played an active role in convincing people to move out to the booths and vote…..vote against, if not for. Every word and opinion well circulated leaves an impact. For example in the elections out here India has voted against instability and for economic growth.

6. Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Absolutely!! If you have the will to voice your opinion technology comes at your rescue and no one can stop you from voicing it. Connecting every point on the earth internet makes it easier to stay connected and respond to every event around the world and certainly no can disagree that now a days even the effect of any event is global….so you see the US presidential election, The flogging of the girl in swat valley, etc being discussed so much all over the blogosphere and in media .
7. What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

Well my site is a blog with literary passion….if you love to read I am here to write. One unique feature according to some of my blogger friends is the look of my blog and the use of photo gallery in the side bar to put forward my view of life, and the other that puts forward something about my self.

I believe each one of us is unique and no two individuals experience thing exactly the same….my blog being an expression of how I experience and view the world is rightfully different in its own way.

8. If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Successful that’s too generous an adjective for me!! Success if is achieving what one wants in life then the one quality that has helped me up to this point in life is to trail the path where my heart lies…..one need to passionately love one’s job to have all that big chunk of energy, enthusiasm, focus and patience to pursue despite all odds.
9. What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I haven’t experienced anything that can be categorized as gloomiest….There have been regrets and disappointments but every time after I finish complaining, God always makes me realize— whatever happens happens for good!! I guess I have a good guardian angel.

Happiest moment was when I earned recognition in other’s eyes…when I became someone from some thing. My +2 results some how miraculously changed the way people thought about me….from an average student to a meritious student. For the first time I also realized that if I wish I can also achieve. The event brought tremendous changes in me; I became more confident and dared to dream.

After school I wasn’t allowed to pursue studies in science as my father was convinced that I have more aptitude for arts and should take up English later. Despite my opposition he successfully convinced me and I studied ARTs at junior college. Later as I enjoyed my studies at college I realized that I fancied studying science because all my friends were doing that. When the results came out and I was among top twenty students, I was convinced whatever happens happens for good.

10. If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

If I don’t have to pay for…. the list will include Egypt, I really want to see the pyramids and Egyptian culture seems fascinating to me. Next will be Venice the floating city and third will be England, especially its beautiful countryside.
11. What is your favorite book and why?

I read a lot, being a literature student exposes me to many writers. Among classics I am a fan of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’, every teenage girl should once read this book  , and among the recent works I like Mahesh Duttani’s ‘Collected Plays’(ed. 2000)….his choice of topic, portrayal of his themes and experiment with time and space in stage presentation, impresses me a lot.

12. What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

The first thing I notice about someone is the attitude they project….to me good personality and good manners are impressive.

13. Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

Never!! There are many who know me, still don’t know that I write. I have been writing poems since class two but only recently in last year of college I finally convinced myself to submit my poem for college magazine that was when my friends came to know about it. And that got me my only published poem other than the poems on my blog.

14. How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
There are many options for bloggers to earn but it all depends on how many visitors visit your page and how often you post. One popular option is Google Adsense , I have also heard about other options like Wigetbucks , Pay-per-post and earning through donation. Blogs can be financially beneficial for marketing your product as well….many writers have blogs to promote their books, one good example is Chetan Bhagat the author of bestseller ‘Five point someone’. Even many bloggers have cracked book deals with reputed publishing houses like Penguin. There are many such other ways how blogs can be financially beneficial.

15. Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
Yes it’s true. Initially blogging consumes a lot of effort and time, and then though it comparatively becomes easier still it’s difficult to divide time between the demands of real life and the virtual world. People are successful only when they give time and energy to their blog and it’s the case in every field.

16. What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
Ignorance I believe breeds prejudice and waters hostility. A blogger being representative of his/her culture and nation can through his/her post and interaction with others denizens of the virtual world, which is global without the restricting boundaries of countries, can clear up some of the prejudices, create awareness about his/her part of the world, promote humanitarianism and thus help make the world a more friendlier and less hostile place.
17. Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
Well it’s difficult to decide….I have come across many quality blogs but if you insist, my top five favourite bloggers are Leofina Jane , Brosreview, Dsampath from Sulekha.com , Matangini and Wandering gypsy
18. Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
In my opinion , my poem ‘Lost’, ‘Rain’ and short fiction ‘When Silence Speaks’ has earned me powerful reaction from my readers.
19. What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

My perception about Pakistan is formed from the Impression I have got from media….having never been to your country….I believe it’s a country having great people and interesting culture, suffering under bad governance and living the threat of Taliban .

20. Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
No…But there has been one blogger who impressed me a lot….Brosreview….He posts his lyrics in his blog ‘The odds are good, but the goods are odd’

21. What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
I will not go into the economic side of the distinction….a developed country is almost stagnant; lack of miles to go also creates a lack of motivation to walk. In contrast a developing country has abundance of possibility….the competition creates a more creative and innovative approach to life….which definitely is an essential ingredient for growth. I have somewhere read that every loss can be a ground for gain…it depends only how one uses the situation.
22. What is the future of blogging?
When printing press was invented it gave rise to the cult of magazines and coffee house literature….liberating literature from monopoly of a single section of society. It changed the nature of literature as well as gave rise to many innovative forms like prose essays, short stories and novels. Internet and blogging I expect will initiate similar changes. It liberated us from borders, giving us a unique ground to work on….. Even experiments are in progress, we already see innovations in form of flash fiction and fiction55. The way in which online advertisement is growing and getting popular and the rise in popularity of e-books and e-publishing ….and with debate going on that e-books will replace paper prints in future….I think, blogging in future will expand more.

23. You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Well it demands a lot of time and its quite difficult to maintain the balance while exams and vacations….at the same time it gives me a lot of pleasure and I forget my mundane worries while I blog…there is a caption at the end of my blog…Self expression is the dominant necessity of human nature…blogging gives me the liberty to express myself unrestricted…It’s a great feeling!!
24. What are your future plans?
I will enter the professional world after completing my studies, which is soon and will work on getting some of my poems published in literary magazines. I will continue to write on my blog and try to get more visitors.
25. Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Happiness I believe is a small triumphant moment you experience when you conquer your fears. So go ahead chase your dreams, face your fear stubbornly and have faith in God.

And do visit me at my blog “Roses and Thorns”. I will love to hear from my friends in Pakistan.